This story comes from this week's WAC Podcast which can be seen HERE

John Sauerhage has spent nearly four decades shaping the identity of UT Arlington track and field. From his days as a top-five middle-distance runner in program history to leading the Mavericks to 33 conference championships, his influence has defined the standard in Arlington. Now, as he prepares to step away from the head coaching role after the 2024 season, Sauerhage is focused on one final goal: “I’m thinking about hosting this meet and trying to win a WAC championship,” he said. “It’s gonna hit me soon that the new chapter’s beginning.”

That new chapter comes after a career built on consistency, community, and a relentless pursuit of team excellence. Even as retirement approaches, Sauerhage remains locked in on the details that made UT Arlington a perennial contender. “If me retiring gets an athlete or two fired up, that’s a great reason to get better and better results from these kids,” he said.

A Maverick From the Start

Sauerhage’s roots in Arlington run deep. A hometown product, he began his collegiate career at LSU before transferring home to UTA, where he flourished under then-head coach Harold Perkins. “UTA was great for me. It was a great fit,” he said. After graduation, he stayed on as a graduate assistant and later worked under Monty Stratton - experiences that molded his coaching philosophy and laid the foundation for what was to come.

The blueprint he developed was simple but effective: build complete teams and compete for conference titles. “The conference championship is at its core the template of how we put teams together,” Sauerhage said. “That’s what I’m most proud of.”

That approach has produced sustained success. Since taking over as head coach in 1995, Sauerhage has guided the Mavericks to 33 conference championships across indoor, outdoor, and cross country, with multiple All-Americans and NCAA qualifiers along the way. “We’ve had a few Olympians, but the conference titles and trying to have a team that wins conference championships, that’s what this program’s been about,” he said.

Building a Championship Program

Sauerhage credits much of that sustained excellence to his staff and the culture they’ve cultivated together. “It takes a village to put a good program together, and we’ve had that,” he said. “Letting the assistant coaches have their groups, let them recruit good people, try and cover all the events, try and have a complete team — that’s how we’ve managed to stay even keel.”

That balance has been evident this season, with both the men’s and women’s programs relying on depth across sprints, distance, throws, jumps, and multis. “It’s having coaches that are fired up and have passion about wanting to be good, wanting to take good care of their athletes, be good mentors,” he said. “In the long run, do what’s best for the kid.”

Sauerhage also points to the university’s investment in facilities and support staff as a key factor in the program’s stability. “We’ve had great support from our athletic department here,” he said. “We have this nice facility here, we managed to update it, keep it up to par with what you need to have to have a championship meet.”

Passing the Baton

Stepping away from the head coaching role won’t mean leaving the program behind. Sauerhage plans to remain involved in a part-time capacity to support the transition and continue mentoring the next generation. “I can be his consigliere - that’s what I’m kind of looking forward to,” he said of working alongside longtime assistant Coach Berger. “I’m there if he needs me. He knows what we have to do to put a good program together.”

After decades spent on the track, he’s also looking forward to some long-overdue time with family. “Lisa wants to go on some vacations,” he said with a laugh. “We’re leaving for Africa after the national meet.”

One Last Run at Home

The timing of his final outdoor championship feels poetic, with UTA hosting the WAC meet on its home track. “Home field advantage can be a tremendous asset for us,” Sauerhage said. “There’s nothing like home-cooked meals, there’s nothing like sleeping in your own bed, not having to travel.”

He knows the environment can also bring distractions, but he trusts his veteran group to handle the moment. “We’re lizards - we’re used to this,” he said. “This is just a normal day in Arlington for us.”

On the women’s side, Sauerhage believes the middle-distance crew will be pivotal against deep distance squads from Utah Valley and Cal Baptist. “If we can just hold serve with them in some of those distance events, our complete team will start to show its worth,” he said. He’s also counting on points across the board — in throws, multis, and jumps — and keeping athletes locked in through the final day. “You don’t need to be eating nachos on the last day,” he joked. “You need to be getting ready to compete.”

The men’s team, meanwhile, has shown firepower in the relays, breaking a 16-year school record in the 4x400 at the Texas Relays. “Alex Kalmar on the men’s side is leading the way for us,” Sauerhage said. “He’s run 1:46 and he’s in tremendous shape.” Joining him is freshman Jayden Haynes, who has already dipped into the 45-second range for a 400 split. “When you get a 45 guy in your group, you’re starting to do something,” Sauerhage said. “If we can just get to that last event with a chance to win the meet, we feel pretty good about our chances.”

He’s equally confident in the women’s stars. “Alexis Cain — her confidence is growing all the time,” he said. “She’s not scared of the competition. She’s ready to attack her race plan.” And in the middle distance, Emelia Mandl continues to impress. “Emelia is ready to run,” he said. “She’s hungry for a team title and she’s ready to do whatever it takes to help our team win.”

As the Mavericks chase one more trophy under his leadership, Sauerhage’s message remains the same as it’s always been: stay composed, execute, and let the team’s depth carry the day. “We can’t beat ourselves because these teams are too good,” he said. “You have to come through with the performances you’re capable of.”

A Legacy Built to Last

For all the accolades, records, and titles, Sauerhage measures his legacy in the culture he leaves behind. “I’ve enjoyed putting everything I have into this program,” he said. “I’m proud of the team we have, I’m proud of the coaches, and none of this would have been possible without all the things I just said — good coaches, good support staff, good people.”

When the final baton is passed and the stadium lights dim on another championship weekend, Sauerhage hopes the emotions match the moment. “I hope they’re tears of joy for victory,” he said. “That’s my focus right now.”

For a coach who has given his life to UT Arlington track and field, that would be the perfect sendoff — one last celebration on the home track he helped build, surrounded by the athletes and colleagues who made the journey unforgettable."